Cannulated sensing device

ABSTRACT

A cannulated sensing device is disclosed and can include a housing that can have a proximal end and a distal end. A cannula can extend from the proximal end of the housing to the distal end of the housing. Further, a sensor can be attached to the distal end of the housing.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to devices for treatingdiarthrodial joints. More specifically, the present disclosure relatesto injecting a therapeutic agent into diarthrodial joints.

BACKGROUND

Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in many tissues of the body such asskin, cartilage, and the vitreous humor. Hyaluronic acid can be used totreat osteoarthritis of various diarthrodial joints, e.g., knee joints,hip joints, etc. In order to properly treat certain diarthrodial joints,e.g., hip joints, it is desirable to inject hyaluronic acid deep into ajoint capsule of the diarthrodial joint—regardless of patient size. Assuch, it is desirable to locate synovial fluid associated with adiarthrodial joint and it is desirable to locate a tip of an injectionneedle prior to injection of the hyaluronic acid within a joint capsule.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device for locating synovial fluid ina patient and for locating a needle tip within a patient prior toinjecting a therapeutic agent such as hyaluronic acid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cannulated sensing device;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the cannulated sensing device;

FIG. 3 is a proximal end view of the cannulated sensing device;

FIG. 4 is a distal end view of the cannulated sensing device;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an injecting device;

FIG. 6 is a detail view of the injecting device taken at circle 6 inFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a first plan view of the injecting device inserted within thecannulated sensing device;

FIG. 8 is a second plan view of the injecting device inserted within thecannulated sensing device;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram representing the electronic components withinthe cannulated sensing device; and

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method of treating a patient.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A cannulated sensing device is disclosed and can include a housing thatcan have a proximal end and a distal end. A cannula can extend from theproximal end of the housing to the distal end of the housing. Further, asensor can be attached to the distal end of the housing.

In another embodiment, an injecting device is disclosed and can includea barrel, a plunger within the barrel, and a needle extending from thebarrel. The needle can include a proximal end and a distal end. Further,a sensor can be incorporated in the needle substantially near the distalend of the needle.

In still another embodiment, a method of treating a patient is disclosedand can include placing a distal end of a cannulated sensing device onskin of the patient and receiving an indication from the cannulatedsensing device that the cannulated sensing device is sensingsubcutaneous fluid.

In yet still another embodiment, a kit is disclosed and can include aninjecting device that can have a needle and a first sensor incorporatedin the needle. Moreover, the kit can include a cannulated sensing devicethat can have a second sensor and a cannula. The cannula can receive theneedle therethrough.

Description of a Cannulated Sensing Device

Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, a cannulated sensing device is shownand is generally designated 100. As shown, the cannulated sensing device100 can include a housing 102 that can include a proximal end 104 and adistal end 106. The housing 102 can include a first portion 108 near theproximal end 104 of the housing 102. Further, the housing 102 caninclude a second portion 110 that extends from the first portion 108 andterminates at the distal end 106. In a particular embodiment, the firstportion 108 of the housing 102 can be enlarged in order to accommodateone or more electronic components therein. For example, a battery and amicroprocessor can be disposed within the first portion 108 of thehousing.

FIG. 1 illustrates that a power switch 112 can be incorporated into, orextend through, the outer surface of the housing 102. For example, thepower switch 112 can be incorporated in the second portion 110 of thehousing 102 between the first portion 108 of the housing and the distalend 106 of the housing 102. More particularly, the power switch 112 canbe incorporated into the second portion 110 of the housing 102 near, oradjacent to, the first portion 108 of the housing 102.

The cannulated sensing device 100 can also include a display device 114.The display device 114 can be a light emitting diode (LED), a liquidcrystal display (LCD), or another display device. In a particularembodiment, the display device 114 can be incorporated into the outersurface of the housing 102. For example, the display device 114 can beincorporated into the second portion 110 of the housing 102 near, oradjacent to, the power switch 112. Further, in addition to, or in lieuof, the display device 114, the cannulated sensing device 100 caninclude an annunciator (not shown). The annunciator can emit asound—e.g., a beep, a series of beeps, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 further indicate that the cannulated sensing device100 can include a sensor 116 that can be attached to, or otherwiseextend from, the distal end 106 of the housing 102. Further, as shown inFIG. 2, the sensor 116 can surround a transmitter 118 that can also beattached to, or otherwise extend from, the distal end 106 of the housing102. In a particular embodiment, the transmitter 118 can transmit asignal into a patient. The sensor 116 can sense at least a portion ofthe signal and a microprocessor (not shown) can use the signal todetermine whether the cannulated sensing device 100 is over bone, flesh,or liquid.

In a particular embodiment, the display device 114 can provide a visualindication of the type of tissue that can be sensed by the cannulatedsensing device 100. For example, the display device 114 can glowdifferent colors or the display device 114 can flash with an increasingfrequency based on the type of tissue or fluid that can be sensed by thecannulated sensing device 100. Further, the display device 114 can glowcontinuously when the cannulated sensing device 100 senses a particulartissue or fluid. For example, the display device 114 can glowcontinuously when the cannulated sensing device 100 senses a fluid.

FIG. 2 illustrates that the cannulated sensing device 100 can include acannula 120 within the housing 102. The cannula 120 can extend from theproximal end 104 of the housing 102 to the distal end 106 of the housing102 along a longitudinal axis 122. Further, the cannula 120 can includea lumen 124. As depicted in FIG. 2 through FIG. 4, a first spring loadedcontact 126 and a second spring-loaded contact 128 can extend into thelumen 124 of the cannula 120. The spring-loaded contacts 126, 128 can beconnected to the sensor 116. Alternatively, the spring-loaded contacts126, 128 can be connected to a power source (not shown) and amicroprocessor (now shown) within the cannulated sensing device 100.

Description of an Injecting device

FIG. 5 illustrates an injecting device, generally designated 500, thatcan be used to deliver a therapeutic agent to an injection site. Forexample, the injecting device 500 can be used to deliver hyaluronic acidto synovial fluid within a synovial joint sack.

As shown in FIG. 5, the injecting device 500 can include a barrel 502that can define a proximal end 504 and a distal end 506. The proximalend 504 of the barrel 502 of the injecting device 500 can include afirst barrel handle 508 and a second barrel handle 510. The barrelhandles 508, 510 can extend outward from the proximal end 504 of thebarrel 502. The first barrel handle 508 can include a first finger hole512 and the second barrel handle 510 can include a second finger hole514. Each finger hole 512, 514 can be sized and shaped to receive afinger.

FIG. 5 indicates that the distal end 506 of the barrel 502 of theinjecting device 500 can include a needle hilt 516. A needle 518 can beconnected to and extend from the needle hilt 516.

As shown in FIG. 5, a plunger 520 can be disposed within the barrel 502of the injecting device 500. The plunger 520 can include a proximal end522 and a distal end 524. Also, the proximal end 522 of the plunger 520can include a plunger handle 526 coupled thereto. The plunger handle 526can include a thumb hole 528 that can be sized and shaped to receive athumb. The plunger 520 can slide within the plunger barrel 502.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the needle 518 can include a proximal end 530and a distal end 532. Further, the needle can include a sensor 534 thatcan be slightly spaced from the distal end 532 of the needle 534.Moreover, a first conductor 536 and a second conductor 538 can lead fromthe sensor 534. Further, the first conductor 536 and the secondconductor 538 can extend along the length of the needle 518 from thesensor 534 to the proximal end 530 of the needle 518.

In a particular embodiment, the injecting device 500 can be used inconjunction with a cannulated sensing device, e.g., the cannulatedsensing device 100 described herein.

Description of the Cannulated Sensing Device Engaged with the InjectingDevice

Referring now to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the injecting device 500 is showninstalled within the cannulated sensing device 100. In particular, theneedle 518 of the injecting device 500 can be installed within the lumen(not shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8) of the cannula (not shown in FIG. 7 andFIG. 8) of the cannulated sensing device 100. Further, the injectingdevice 500 can be moved linearly relative to the cannulated sensingdevice 100 such that a portion of the needle 518 extending beyond thedistal end 106 of the cannulated sensing device 100 can increase inlength. The injecting device 500 can move relative to the cannulatedsensing device 100 until the proximal end 104 of the cannulated sensingdevice 100 contacts the needle hilt 516.

Accordingly, as described herein, the cannulated sensing device 100 canbe placed against the skin of a patient and the needle 518 of theinjecting device 500 can be moved through the cannulated sensing device100 in order to inject a therapeutic agent in a patient at a locationaligned with the cannulated sensing device 100 along a patient's skin.

In a particular embodiment, as the injecting device 500 is slid into thecannulated sensing device 100, the needle 518 extending from theinjecting device 500 can contact at least one of the spring loadedcontacts 126, 128 and extend the reach of the sensor 116. In otherwords, the needle 518, or the sensor 534 incorporated into the needle518, can become part of the sensor 116 in the cannulated sensing device100.

Alternatively, the sensor 534 incorporated into the needle 518 canbecome electrically connected to a microprocessor and a power sourcewithin the cannulated sensor 100 via the spring-loaded contacts 126,128. Further, the sensor 534 within the needle 518 can temporarilyreplace the sensor 116 within the cannulated sensing device 100.

For example, the spring-loaded contacts 126, 128 can complete a portionof a circuit including the sensor 116 within the cannulated sensingdevice 100 when the spring-loaded contacts 126, 128 are in contact witheach other. However, when the needle 518 is placed within the cannulatedsensing device 100, the needle 518 can separate the spring-loadedcontacts 126, 128 and break a portion of a circuit that can include thesensor 116 within the cannulated sensing device 100. Further, one ormore of the conductors 536, 538 along the length of the needle 518 cancontact the spring loaded contacts 126, 128.

Accordingly, the sensor 116 within the cannulated sensing device 100 canbe deactivated, or de-energized, by separating the spring-loadedcontacts 126, 128 from each other. Further, the sensor 534 within theneedle 518 can be activated, or energized, when the conductors 536, 538along the length of the needle 518 contact the spring-loaded contacts126, 128. Thereafter, the sensor 534 within the needle 518 can sensesignals from the transmitter 118 within the cannulated sensing device100 and send data back to the microprocessor within the cannulatedsensing device 100 in order to determine a location of the distal end532 of the needle 518 relative to bone, flesh, fluid, or a combinationthereof.

Description of the Electronic Components of the Cannulated SensingDevice

FIG. 9 is a block diagram that illustrates the electronic componentswithin the cannulated sensing device, generally designated 900. Asshown, the cannulated sensing device 900 can include a power supply 902.A microprocessor 904 can be electrically connected to the power supply902. Further, a sensor 906 can be electrically connected to the powersupply 902 and can be placed in communication with the microprocessor904. Moreover, a transmitter 908 can be electrically connected to thepower supply 902 and can be placed in communication with themicroprocessor 904.

As shown in FIG. 9, a display 910 can be electrically connected to thepower supply 902 and can be placed in communication with themicroprocessor 904. Also, an annunciator 912 can be electricallyconnected to the power supply 902 and can be placed in communicationwith the microprocessor 904. Further, as indicated in FIG. 9, a firstcontact 914 and a second contact 916 can be electrically connected tothe power supply 902 and the microprocessor 904. In addition, oralternatively, the first contact 914 and the second contact 916 can beelectrically connected to the sensor 906.

In a particular embodiment, placed “in communication with” can meanphysically connected via a wire or other conductor. “In communicationwith” can also mean connected in any manner that facilitates transfer ofa desired signal or information, such as via a wireless connection,e.g., an infrared (IR) connection, a radio frequency (RF) connection, aWi-Fi connection, a Bluetooth connection, etc. Further, in a particularembodiment, the display 910 can be a display device such as, a liquidcrystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED), etc. Also, in aparticular embodiment, the annunciator 912 can be a sound emittingdevice, such as a device that emits a beep, a series of beeps, or acombination thereof.

Description of a Method of Treating a Patient

Referring now to FIG. 10, a method of treating a patient is shown andcommences at block 1000. Commencing at block 1000, a cannulated sensingdevice can be retrieved. At block 1002, a tip of the cannulated sensingdevice can be placed on patient's skin. Thereafter, at block 1004, thecannulated sensing device can be moved along the patient's skin. Movingto block 1006, it can be determined whether subcutaneous fluid, such assynovial fluid, is located beneath the sensing device. In a particularembodiment, the cannulated sensing device can be used to determinewhether subcutaneous fluid is located thereunder. Further, an LED on thecannulated sensing device can notify a user when subcutaneous fluid islocated. The cannulated sensing can distinguish among hard tissue (e.g.,bone), soft tissue (e.g., flesh or muscle), and fluid (e.g., synovialfluid). For example, the cannulated sensing device can make thesedistinctions using ultrasound signals or other acoustic signals.Further, the cannulated sensing device can transmit an electrical signaland measure an impedance of the electrical signal in order todistinguish hard tissue, soft tissue, and fluid.

If fluid is not located, the method can return to block 1004 and a usercan continue to move the sensing device along the patient's skin. Iffluid is located, the method can move to block 1008. At block 1008, thecannulated sensing device can be angled, if necessary, with respect tothe current location of the tip of the cannulated sensing device withoutmoving the tip.

Proceeding to block 1010, a tip of a needle of an injecting device canbe inserted into a lumen within the cannulated sensing device.Thereafter, at block 1012, the needle can be slid, or otherwise moved,through the lumen and into a patient. At block 1014, it can bedetermined whether the tip of the needle is within fluid, e.g., withinsynovial fluid, within the patient. In a particular embodiment, theneedle itself can extend the sensing capability of a sensor within thecannulated sensing device and can be used, in conjunction with thecannulated sensing device, in order to determine whether the tip of theneedle is within fluid. Further, the LED of the cannulated sensingdevice can indicate to the user when the tip of the needle is indeedlocated in fluid within the patient.

If the needle is not within fluid within the patient, the method canreturn to block 1012 and the user can continue to slide, or otherwisemove, the needle of the injecting device through the lumen of thecannulated sensing device. Conversely, if the tip of the needle iswithin fluid within the patient, the method can continue to block 1016and a plunger on the injecting device can be depressed, i.e., slid intothe injecting device, in order to inject a therapeutic agent, such ashyaluronic acid, into the patient.

Continuing to decision step 1018, it can be determined whether injectionis complete. This determination can be made based on one or moregradations on the injecting device that can indicate an amount of atherapeutic agent injected from the injecting device. If the injectionis not complete, the method can return to 1016 and the plunger can bemoved further into the injecting device in order to expel moretherapeutic agent from the injecting device.

On the other hand, at decision step 1018, if injection is complete, themethod can proceed to block 1020. At block 1020, the needle of theinjecting device can be removed, or otherwise withdrawn, from thepatient. At block 1022, the needle of the injecting device can beremoved, or otherwise withdrawn, from the cannulated sensing device. Themethod can then end at state 1024.

CONCLUSION

With the configuration of structure described above, the cannulatedsensing device provides a device that can be used to distinguish hardtissue, soft tissue, and fluid. Further, the cannulated sensing deviceprovides a device that can be used to locate fluid, e.g., synovialfluid, prior to injecting a therapeutic agent into the fluid. Moreover,the cannulated sensing device provides a device that can be used toposition a distal end, or tip, of a needle prior to injecting atherapeutic agent into a patient using the needle.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments that fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximumextent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to bedetermined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the followingclaims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited bythe foregoing detailed description.

1. A cannulated sensing device, comprising: a housing having a proximalend and a distal end; a cannula extending along a longitudinal axis ofthe housing from the proximal end of the housing to the distal end ofthe housing, wherein the cannula comprises a lumen extending along thelongitudinal axis and configured to receive a needle of an injectingdevice; a first spring loaded contact extending into the lumen, whereinthe first spring-loaded contact is configured to contact the needle whenthe needle is inserted in the lumen; a second spring loaded contactextending into the lumen, wherein the second spring loaded contact isconfigured to contact the needle when the needle is within the lumen andwherein the second spring loaded contact is configured to contact thefirst spring loaded contact when the needle is not within the lumen; anda sensor attached to the distal end of the housing, wherein the sensorcomprises an annular shape having a central opening, and the sensor iscoaxial with the cannula about the longitudinal axis and wherein thesensor of the cannulated sensing device is activated while the firstspring-loaded contact is in electrical contact with the second springloaded contact.
 2. The cannulated sensing device of claim 1, furthercomprising a microprocessor in communication with the sensor.
 3. Thecannulated sensing device of claim 2, further comprising a power supplyconnected to the microprocessor and the sensor.
 4. The cannulatedsensing device of claim 3, further comprising a transmitter attached tothe distal end of the housing, wherein the transmitter is incommunication with the microprocessor.
 5. The cannulated sensing deviceof claim 1, further comprising a display device configured to indicatewhether the cannulated sensing device senses hard tissue, soft tissue,fluid, or a combination thereof.
 6. The cannulated sensing device ofclaim 1, further comprising an annunciator configured to indicatewhether the cannulated sensing device senses hard tissue, soft tissue,fluid, or a combination thereof.
 7. The cannulated sensing device ofclaim 1, wherein the sensor of the cannulated sensing device isdeactivated while the first spring-loaded contact is not in electricalcontact with the second spring loaded contact.
 8. The cannulated sensingdevice of claim 7, wherein a sensor incorporated into the needle isactivated when the needle contacts the first spring loaded contact, thesecond spring loaded contact, or a combination thereof.
 9. A cannulatedsensing device, comprising: a housing having a proximal end and a distalend; a cannula extending along a longitudinal axis of the housing fromthe proximal end of the housing to the distal end of the housing,wherein the cannula comprises a lumen extending along the longitudinalaxis configured to receive a needle of an injecting device; a sensorattached to the distal end of the housing; a first spring loaded contactextending into the lumen; and a second spring loaded contact extendinginto the lumen and in contact with the first spring loaded contact,wherein the first spring loaded contact, second spring loaded contact,and sensor form a circuit, when the first spring loaded contact is inelectrical contact with the second spring loaded contact.
 10. Thecannulated sensing device of claim 9, wherein the sensor of thecannulated sensing device is activated while the first spring-loadedcontact is in electrical contact with the second spring loaded contact.11. The cannulated sensing device of claim 10, wherein the sensor of thecannulated sensing device is deactivated while the first spring-loadedcontact is separated from the second spring loaded contact.
 12. Thecannulated sensing device of claim 9, wherein a sensor incorporated intothe needle is activated when the needle contacts the first spring loadedcontact, the second spring loaded contact, or a combination thereof.